RECOGNITION

Awards

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST AND ONLY RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR MONTESSORI EDUCATORS

NOMINATIONS OPEN 1 MAY 2024
NOMINATIONS CLOSE 31 JULY 2024

Details and Nominations

NOMINATIONS OPEN 1 MAY 2024
NOMINATIONS CLOSE 31 JULY 2024

The Montessori Australia Recognition Awards are Australia’s first and only awards to promote, recognise and celebrate Montessori educators.

Montessori Australia will present annual recognition awards to acknowledge extraordinary accomplishments in areas relevant to the Montessori Movement. The awards will be presented at the Recognition Awards Dinner on Saturday, 2 November 2024 in Sydney.

Montessori Living Legend

Each year, the Montessori Australia Living Legend Award will honour an individual for their lifetime of dedication and service to the Montessori Movement.

Innovator Award

It honors individuals working to advance Montessori education in public schools, intergenerational communities, eldercare, and service delivery to under-resourced areas. Also includes research and advocacy efforts.

Barbara Stephen Equity & Social Justice Award

This award recognizes efforts in promoting social justice and advancing Montessori education for marginalized and Indigenous communities to improve access and educational outcomes.

Willemien Duyker-de Vries Community Service Award

This award recognizes Montessorians for significant community contributions, advancing Montessori pedagogy, and supporting Montessori Australia's sustainability through resources or advocacy.

Josy Ludwig "Quiet Achiever” Award

This reward recognises the unsung heroes of Montessori education: those who have dedicated their lives to shaping the future of our children.

Business and Administrator Award

This award honors Montessori education leaders who excel in innovation and leadership, significantly advancing Montessori principles and promoting holistic child development and organizational excellence within Montessori environments.

Montessori Australia 2024 Recognition Awards

An ordinary teacher cannot be transformed into a Montessori teacher, but must be created anew, having rid herself of pedagogical prejudices.” (Maria Montessori, Education for a New World)

Montessori Australia will present annual recognition awards to acknowledge extraordinary accomplishments in areas relevant to the Montessori Movement. Prospective honourees are nominated by the Montessori community and then considered and chosen by a designated committee, using articulated rubrics.

How does it work?

Do you know a Montessorian whose tireless dedication and leadership over many years have made an impact on the Australian Montessori community?
Have you been personally affected by a respected or beloved mentor who embodies Montessori values in Australia?

Here’s your opportunity to help recognise the contributions of respected role models of Montessori values in Australia.

The tributes are to honour the often invisible work of the many Australian Montessorians who work tirelessly for children, often without recognition and sometimes with only minimal compensation.

NOMINATIONS OPENS ON 1ST MAY

Living Legend Nomination Form

Montessori Living Legend

Each year, the Montessori Australia Living Legend Award will honour an individual for their lifetime of dedication and service to the Montessori Movement. This person will have had several if not many impactful roles in Montessori: for example, as a school or program administrator, teacher, author, researcher, mentor, presenter, lobbyist, education activist, board director, committee member, and/or community leader.

We invite educators, leaders, staff, trainers and parents from all schools and centres to nominate a Living Legend who is a respected model of Montessori values such as grace and courtesy, respect, integrity, responsibility, enthusiasm, and promoting diversity and inclusiveness. Candidates will be appreciated based on the following criteria: personal attributes and their adherence to Montessori values; years of Montessori experience and their role as an educator, including their inspiration and noteworthy accomplishments and contributions; and their wider world work in advancing the cause of Montessori education, including their organisational involvement and volunteerism.

Innovator Award

This award celebrates an individual or organisation who:

  • has been visionary in advancing Montessori pedagogy.
  • has developed new and innovative ways of implementing Montessori philosophy in their work, whether it be in education, eldercare, research, or advocacy.

It seeks to honour the work of individuals in a variety of arenas to increase access and equity by advancing Montessori education in the public school sector, intergenerational communities, eldercare, and service delivery to remote and regional Australian communities or marginal areas that are under-resourced in Montessori education, or in areas of research or advocacy.

Equity & Social Justice Award

The Barbara Stephen Equity & Social Justice Award

This award celebrates an individual or organisation who has: 

  • dedicated their career to promoting social justice and made significant contributions to marginalised or low socio-economic communities.
  • served as a volunteer to contribute to the social progress of the Montessori Movement.
  • worked to eliminate systemic barriers to access education and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of children and families in low socio-economic communities.
  • made significant contributions to promoting Montessori education within Australian Indigenous communities, working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ensure that Indigenous children have access to culturally appropriate Montessori education and have made a significant impact on improving educational outcomes for Indigenous children.
  • increased access and equity by advancing Montessori education in the public school sector, intergenerational communities, eldercare, remote and regional Australian communities or marginalised areas that are under-resourced in Montessori education in the early years.
  • made advances in raising the profile of Montessori education with service, culturally approved resources and/or research.

Community Service Award

The Willemien Duyker-de Vries Community Service Award

This award recognises a Montessorian who has made significant contributions to their local or global communities through their work in Montessori education or advocacy. This award could also recognise Montessorians who have worked to bring Montessori philosophy to underserved or marginalised populations.

Montessori Australia recognises those who generously contribute resources to the sustainability and development of the services provided by Montessori Australia. The resources can involve sponsorships, volunteer time, and donations of goods and services.

This award celebrates an individual or organisation that has advanced and developed Montessori pedagogy. They hold a passion for authentic practice in promoting and growing Montessori in Australia (and/or the world) and have demonstrated exceptional excellence in their field, whether it be in Montessori education, research, or advocacy. This contribution should be sustained over time (minimum of 3 years).

Quiet Achiever Award

The Josy Ludwig “Quiet Achiever” Award

This reward recognises the unsung heroes of Montessori education: those who have dedicated their lives to shaping the future of our children. Imagine a simple yet heartfelt Montessori educator award that celebrates the tireless efforts of classroom teachers or support staff who have devoted themselves to the betterment of their students. These are the everyday educators who have not necessarily made ground-breaking innovations or achieved extraordinary feats, but have simply poured their hearts and souls into their work, helping children grow into the amazing adults they are meant to be. These are the educators who are loved by their community and cherished by their students and parents. Let us come together to honour them and show our gratitude for their selfless service. Let alumni students, parents, and administrative staff nominate these heroes and have their impact recognised and celebrated. 

Business and Administrator Award

This award celebrates individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in the Montessori education sector. This prestigious award honours professionals who have made significant contributions to advancing Montessori principles, fostering holistic child development, and promoting organisational excellence within Montessori schools and organisations. From visionary directors to innovative business leaders supporting Montessori education, this award recognises individuals who excel in strategic planning, resource management, and creating nurturing learning environments rooted in Montessori philosophy. By honouring their dedication, creativity, and impact, the Business and Administrator Award aims to inspire and empower Montessori leaders to continue driving positive change and shaping the future of Montessori education. 

Describe how the nominee reflects and models Montessori values

  • How do they evidence respectful interactions with adults and children in the Montessori community (and beyond)?
  • How do they exemplify integrity and responsibility?
  • How do they exude enthusiasm and promote diversity and inclusiveness?
  • How have they upheld high-fidelity Montessori practice? (high fidelity refers to criteria for AMS accredited schools)

 

Share their contributions and influence on others.

  • How have they advanced Montessori education, accomplished noteworthy endeavors?
  • How have they led, supported, coached or mentored Montessorians and/or Montessori efforts?
  • How have they impacted Montessori in and beyond their school, home community?

 

Share their involvement with peace and social justice work in the context of their Montessori work and/or their contributions to Montessori activities internationally.

  • How have they demonstrated engagement in peace/social justice activities?
    In what ways have they contributed to Montessori efforts internationally?